Last summer I read that Liverpool were interested in signing Houssem Aouar but that the player did not want to leave his hometown club at such a young age and decided to stay and continue his development.

There was quite a lot of talk about this young midfielder so i've taken the time to watch him on a couple of occasions this season and I must say he looks the real deal. He's a combative midfielder, confident on the ball, good running with the ball but above all else helps out his defenders very effectively.

My question is whether the interest from Liverpool last summer was actually genuine, or just made up by the tabloids?

And if it was genuine do you know if Liverpool (or any other clubs) retain an interest in the player for this summer or beyond?

Cheers in advance have a great Friday.

RedDawn

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool looked at Houssem Aouar the year before last when he was in the Lyon Under 19s - that scout has since left Liverpool. Arsenal looked earlier this season and Barcelona talked money with Lyon but were rather shocked by the sort of price Lyon would be looking to ask even if he were for sale, which they say he isn't.}

1.) 09 Feb 2018 15:47:29
Cheers Ed. Looks like Liverpool would be priced out of a move in any event, especially with Lyon's record of dealing with English clubs.

Shame, he looks like he could be really special and the perfect player on the left of a midfield 3 like Liverpool play.

Coutinho - Barcelona are still interested. The club and Klopp did not want to sell. Klopp now does not want to keep him and he will likely move.

Lemar - We are interested. Monaco have so far not accepted an offer from us. The offers may or may not include Origi. If we make Monaco an acceptable offer he will likely sign.

Van Dijk - Thus club are still very interested. Soton have repeatedly said they do not want to sell. There has been significant damage done to the relationship with Soton and as such a deal seems unlikely at present. Soton would need to soften their stance and we would need to overpay to get him. He might end up elsewhere.

AOC - We are interested. It does not depend on other transfers. He wants the move and Klopp likes him. Looks like a good chance this will happen.

Koulibaly - There was interest earlier in the summer, we made an offer, it was rejected. Now that Napoli have qualified for the CL and we have left it so late this is a non starter.

Howedes - We were never interested. Has moved elsewhere anyway.

Mahrez - We are not interested.

Draxler - We are not interested.

Drinkwater - We are not interested.

Luan - We were interested. Complex third party ownership issues, will definitely not happen this summer, may be one for later.

GKs - We are not looking to sign any GKs. Lots of speculation about Migs leaving. Eds have not confirmed this in any way. Unlikely to be any change this summer.

Keita - Joining next summer.

Can - Has not signed a new contract. No developments on this. He will want guarantees on involvement. Will be difficult with AOC maybe coming and Keita coming next summer.

Sakho - Wanted by Crystal Palace. We rejected their latest offer. Holding out for more money. The club want rid, will likely be resolved before the end of the window. West Brom might be interested.

Ings - Not likely to go on loan. Will stay and improve fitness with a view to be a rotation option later in the season.

Sturridge - Not going anywhere this summer.

Milner - Not going anywhere this summer.

Origi - Could be loaned out but leaving it late to sort it now.

Moreno - Now very likely to stay

Klavan - Not going anywhere this summer

Lallana - Rumours of Spurs interest. Eds have not confirmed this. Not moving this summer.

6.) 06 Aug 2017 22:34:43
let's get as much as we can then put a bid in for lewendowski bayen munich are shambles at the moment maybe a new challenge might suit him wasn't he at dortmand with klopp too? .

11.) 06 Aug 2017 23:43:58
The issue isn't if Coutinho goes but the fact that it doesn't leave much time to find a replacement. for this reason I find it hard to believe we would sell. We will see though.

12.) 07 Aug 2017 00:41:10
frankly - obviously not fine with a failed season. but what are you going to do if and when coutinho leaves this summer? just have a cry?
not me, up for the season no matter what happens. look forward to see if we bring anyone in, and if not then will be excited to see how we step up and fill the void.

13.) 07 Aug 2017 01:18:19
It would be a huge blow, yes, but he played on the wing last season. who's expecting to start on the wing this season? Mane and Salah. The reality is whether deliberate or not, we actually have brought in someone new in his position already.

As much as I want him to stay, we also can't hold him against his will. I pray the report isn't true, but if it is, we can survive and hopefully replace him with someone special sooner rather than later.

14.) 07 Aug 2017 01:44:22
Emre Morr would be a fantastic replacement he's younger and quicker than Coutinho. We still do not have a better goalkeeper that can be trusted to do the job and instill confidence in the team. We also need a commanding central midfielder that can balls going through the middle so easily. We give away goals to easy through the middle of the park and set pieces. You don't need to be the best manager to see these mistakes it is so simple to sort out and starts by getting rid of players like Henderson who is so ordinary and the height of our defence will always be beaten.

16.) 07 Aug 2017 04:47:11
Lewandowski is not on a downward curve! That is total made up nonsense. It's embarrassing how many agree. He is 28 for god sake. Not to mention his goal tally last season of 43 in all competitions was the best of his career to date. The 42 the season before wasn't too shabby either.

I posted about this the other day, but it is truly shocking how the mentality of our fans has shifted. We'd rather sign a 21 year old with potential than a 28 year old who is ready to lead us to trophies from day one. Lewandowski is probably only second in world football to Luis Suarez as a central striker. If he was available and we turned it down because he is 28, I'd genuinely want heads to roll in our clubs recruitment team because that would be almost laughable. Anybody else remember United signing a 28 year old Van Persie and winning the league with his goals? And his injuries meant he actually was on a downward curve. But he was still good enough to fire them to the title with 30 goals!

{Ed001's Note - as a central striker, Lewandowski is the best in the world. As a player overall though, Suarez is a better player, he does more for the team. It is like comparing Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish, Rush was without a doubt the better striker, but Dalglish was the better player and you would pick him every time. I am not sure if I am agreeing or disagreeing with you here MKS, just trying to explain my own thinking really, so probably neither!

However, anyone that would not take Lewandowski for their team right at this moment is utterly insane or absolutely clueless. He is world class. He is the kind of player that makes opposition teams completely change their set up to cope with him. He gives defenders panic attacks just leading up to the game they have to deal with him.}

17.) 07 Aug 2017 04:50:07
For all the talk about Klopp and team calling all the shots, this will be another humiliating admittance to our conduct of business in the transfer market - if true this is a big fat slap on Klopp's mouth. I think this deal won't happen though - it's just too short sighted for us to sell Couts when we have a CL match coming so soon. What a way to show our ambition before we start the season.

18.) 07 Aug 2017 05:20:38
I understand your logic Ed, no worries. In fact I probably agree with your assessment on it. Lewandowski scores more goals in a tougher league, but like you say, Suarez does more in terms of pressing, creating etc and probably can win a game from nothing like no other player in the world. As a pure striker though, I'd agree you cannot top Lewandowski. I'm still in shock that someone just insinuated they wouldn't want him. This could take me some time to comprehend.

20.) 07 Aug 2017 06:02:39
I would love Suarez back, imagine having him up front with attack we have at the moment! Crazy attack! I would take him all day long in place of couts. I am a little worried about the timing to be honest and our ability to find an adequate replacement. Maybe we should ask the question, we will take Suarez and 50 million please lol.

21.) 07 Aug 2017 07:16:59
I would do the same as we did with Suarez. Tell Coutinho he can leave, at the end of the season when we have thoroughly scouted a decent shortlist if replacements.
Only difference is that Suarez also needed that season to upgrade his transfer prospects from Arsenal to Barcelona, Coutinho doesn't need to convince Barcelona to come for him.

22.) 07 Aug 2017 08:19:15
One thing is for sure, Coutinho is no Suarez, he goes missing in games and is definitely replaceable, just hope we do t see Salah as the replacement. At the minute we look really strong in attack, without Coutinho and Lallana injured we lack quality.

23.) 07 Aug 2017 08:20:39
Lewa is a beast of a player, Ed and to me, Klopp's greatest creation. The complete CF who has pace, power, movement, pressing ability, aerial ability, the whole lot. He has NO weaknesses, period. If we ever bought a CF, he would be the one I would get.

24.) 07 Aug 2017 08:22:22
Sorry but Lewandowski is at the wrong end of his career, he'll be 29 this summer, not the age you join the premier league. He's had a great career, but if he joined us at this point there is far to much risk attached to it. The example of van Persie is a poor comparison given that van Persie was familiar with the premier league and didn't need to adjust. If we blew money on Lewandowski we'd be running the risk of doing a Chelsea and signing the equivalent of Shevchenko. I'm not saying he isn't a great player, but at 29 years old, he'd be too much of a risk.

25.) 07 Aug 2017 08:24:47
Spot on, Andy. That is what I would do as well but hey, I'm not the manager nor am I FSG. Those saying that "he's not world class anyway or he's inconsistent so he can go" are deluding themselves and have learnt absolutely nothing from the Torres and Suarez debacles. If we just let him go this season with no time to find a suitable replacement (I don't see anyone out there who can in the short term), we will regret it, period.

27.) 07 Aug 2017 08:46:21
Frankly I understand your opinion mate, but world class players can adapt. Shevchenko came from Italy to the Prem at a time when the tempo in the two divisions were at polar opposites, yes. But he also just failed massively to settle.

The Bundesliga is a similar tempo to the modern day Prem as the league is now flooded with continental managers anyway, but Lewandowski has a playing style suited to the English leagues.

It is always a lottery signing a new striker anyway. Drogba and Ibrahimović did all right adapting to a new league at a later stage in their career, whilst players like Bony and Benteke who were seemingly proven couldn't even adapt to a new club at a younger age; so that shows how it is more down to the individual than just what league they come from.

29.) 07 Aug 2017 09:04:31
There aren't any positives, we are going into the new season without our best player, we will in all likelihood replace a top class player with mediocre players (there's a rumour doing the rounds that we're going to sign Oxlade for £28m which supports that point), we haven't been able to bring in our top targets and we still look hopelessly weak in midfield and defence.

Better to save judgement till the window is shut. It's not healthy to stress so much, bad news it's not been the best news the good news we haven't lost a pre season game we have a qualifier and European football to look forward to and the window is still open. Anything is still possible.

32.) 07 Aug 2017 09:30:44
United only got one really good season out of van Persie, the other two were blighted by injury. So again a poor comparison. As for Ibrahimovic, there was no risk as it was a free transfer, Lewandowski would cost a huge amount of money as well as the wages, so it's very comparable to Shevchenko. A couple of years ago, Lewandowski would be a great signing, but now? Not really, And even then, why leave Bayern when they are already in the Champions League and likely to win the title to come to a club in disarray?

34.) 07 Aug 2017 09:42:24
Spot on Leeeee and BTW, it is only in the Catalan/ Spanish media tabloids printing rubbish on a bid to put pressure on LFC to sell Cou and to also get their fans excited for a new arrival. Discussions may be going on as Ed02 has said BUT there is nothing to it. We should stand our ground like RBL did for Keita and not sell. Cou can then be given a couple of weeks to sort his head out and then come back ready to go for the season. We simply cannot sell our best player, end of. If we do, we might as well be a selling club with no ambition and be done with it.

I'm not saying he's the answer but you wouldn't be happy if couts goes, you won't be happy if we replace with a lanzini coz he substandard, you won't be happy if we replace with lewandowski who could be considered world class.

You'd only be happy if we force him stay and make him love us and hate Barca, can't expect 100% from someone who's probable dreamed of playing for Barca, and is forced to stay at liverpool.

On the other hand he maybe happy to 1 more year but it's inevitable he will leave imo so we will face this impasse at some point.

36.) 07 Aug 2017 09:56:20
Lewandoski would easily score 25+ in the EPL and no way is he on a downward curve. Anybody that thinks that are mad and mustn't have watched any other football the last couple of seasons apart from LFC games.

40.) 07 Aug 2017 18:08:36
Anyone who doubts lewandolski is crazy. The guy is one of best players in the world, at peak of his prowess. The issue is. Is he likely to sign for liverpool? Doubt it guys. Let's quit dreaming.

41.) 07 Aug 2017 18:11:42
Lewandolski is pure class and anyone who says otherwise would have serious trouble picking 11 players to field a team. If he's not good enough for you, then who is for god sake. 3 messi's 4 ronaldos and 4 Gareth bales.?

Frankly, lfc are not the most loved team in the world. We have enough haters across the park and down the motorway. We need our fans to SUPPORT our team. What do you suggest we do? Lock the gates of an field forever and give up coz our star player (whom we bought for 8 mil) is getting his dream move. For around 100 mil

Lfc have a habit of giving their very best players special treatment. Coutinio is that man atm. If you think so much of him, as the club do, how can you stand in the way of what was probably his boyhood dream?

{Ed002's Note - I am not sure where you get the "just over half" rom but De Vrij's contract is running down and he is a very good player who is attracting interest from a number of high-profile sides.}

I was talking purely in terms of reported transfer fees, with Lazio holding for c£30m (€35m according to the Football Italia report) and VVD costing c£60m + or -. I think the figures reported by the journalist who broke the story (can't remember his name) are just over £50m including add ons, although that could indeed go up significantly if tapping up is an issue, as you said in reply to another post.

2.) 10 Apr 2017 11:15:37
As usual so called liverpool fans say every player is too big for lfc jokers coutinho firming better than any one in thebpremier
If l
Koop wants a player we will get him
1st signing Theo alaves/ attleti.

{Ed001's Note - what has it got to do with being too big? There are a number of reasons why, nothing to do with size, except size of fee and salary.}

3.) 10 Apr 2017 11:49:29
What a strange reply.

I meant it in the way that he is a Cardiff born guy who spent the whole of his youth career on the South Coast and then settled in London, a major capital city. He then moved to Madrid, a major capital city, and lived in the sun being paid £350k a week to do so playing with some of the best players in the world getting to the latter stages of the Champions League every year.

Why on earth would he want to move to the North West of England to a team that has only challenged for their domestic title once in the last 15 years, unless it's going to be for a lot more money. which we can't afford. Only United could even get close to affording what he would want.

It's not about "so called Liverpool fans" saying a player is too big, it's about understanding that this isn't Football Manager where you can just sign whoever you want.

4 points clear at the top on Christmas day, a very happy place for us supporters indeed.

I have a question about the non football side of the club. I know you don't love social media (understatement? ) but I have been noticing an awful lot more charity work being being highlighted by the club on Facebook recently.

All of the players seem to be involved, but especially Salah and Robbo who seem to be in every video/ story.

In your opinion are the club actually getting out into the community more and doing more charitable work and if so has there been a concerted effort on the part of the club to push this area more? Or is it just clever social media work to make it seem like there's lots of community work going on?

All the best for crimbo as well mate. Hope you have a great one :)

RedDawn

{Ed001's Note - bit of both mate, though it is mainly down to the players making the effort. Salah in particular is an exceptional individual who devotes huge amounts of time and money to charitable works. Every Egyptian you meet has a plethora of stories about family members and/or friends that he has helped. The players are not forced to do any of these things, so it tells you a lot about the ones who are involved, as they are the ones choosing to be there.

Cheers mate, may you have as merry a Christmas as I intend to have!}

1.) 24 Dec 2018 03:54:00
So Ed001, Everton are often lauded for their community involvement. Is this mandated at the club or are their players just keener to do it?

{Ed001's Note - it is a club initiative, players and managers are asked to get involved, some are more keen than others. Roberto Martinez was well liked because he threw himself into it, while Koeman was never seen as Everton because he refused to get involved. However, Everton have a lot more community initiatives for players to be involved with, in large part because they have made a conscious effort to be a community club. Liverpool, on the other hand, have not bothered until recently, when there has been a push to change that from the highest echelons and the players. That is one thing I must point out, the players have been keen to do more. Not something you normally can say about professional footballers in the modern era!}

2.) 24 Dec 2018 04:13:39
Was thinking the same thing the other day red dawn. Its great to see that we have developed a group of players that are giving back to the community. Has Klopp had much of an influence on this ed?

4.) 24 Dec 2018 09:42:02
I have to say I will praise the club for the work they are doing, especially with the food bank initiative, they've been very lacking in this area for all the time I've supported the club so it's good to see they've finally started to put something back, I was also a steward years ago and they treated us very poorly compared to the Everton stewards but I've heard they've improved on that side also, and it's nice to hear its player driven, I didn't know that. Fair play, hats off to them.

6.) 24 Dec 2018 18:52:11
I work in a local hospital and can tell you that Peter Moore has made donations through his foundation, perhaps this sort of figure head at the top who is a local boy done good now looking to give back, is one of the reasons why things have started to improve. No doubt a ruthless businessman but a very nice bloke to chat to and I do think he’s a good guy.

12 Jun 2018 12:06:41
I saw a post a little further down by 87red where it was discussed whether teams "need" a world class goalie to be successful and some examples were given of "poor" keepers who have been very successful for their clubs. And I just wanted to give my response.

Using the examples that were given there are clear factors to why those GKs have been "successful" despite their apparent flaws.

Hart had probably the most commanding and organising CB in the world in front of him. Kompany didn't need any help from his keeper to organise his defence he just did it, and that's why they were so successful. You could've put almost any GK behind him and the defence wouldn't have suffered. Hart was called upon so infrequently that it didn't matter if he fluffed a few as they would invariably score enough to win the game anyway.

Schmeichel is not a good keeper at all. He benefitted a lot from playing behind a solid and unchanged back 4 who were in turn protected very well by the best midfielder on the planet. There was no pressure on him whatsoever because the team in front of him were well organised and played almost every game together. They didn't need any organisation from their keeper he was just able to get in the way of any shots that managed to find their way through.

Navas plays in the team which most would argue is the best in the world. Simple as that. Of course they are going to win things, regardless of who is in goal. La Liga is so uncompetitive outside the top 3 that they could've played "rush goalies" and still won loads.

Exactly the same for Victor Valdes. He was playing behind one of the greatest teams ever seen. He had so little to do he could've brought a deck chair to most matches. He was able to be poor because Barcelona had so much possession and gave away so few shots against that it didn't matter.

Now conversely look at United. Defensively they have no organisation whatsoever, they are all over the place (getting more solid now under Mourinho but still no real leaders on the pitch) . But they have an incredible keeper, in my opinion the best in the world. He has single handedly won them between 10-15 points the last few seasons despite the lack of quality around him.

Liverpool don't have great defensively solidity. We don't have a back 4 that plays 50 games a season together, we don't have a defence that is protected by an incredibly solid midfield. We play open, expansive fluid football. We need a keeper that instils confidence in their back 4, whoever is playing. We need a keeper that takes control of organising the defence. We need a keeper that can win us those 5, 10, 15 points a season like De Gea does for United.

That's why we need to sign a top keeper. Not just because we are spending for spending's sake but because we play the type of football that requires our GK to be heavily involved.

I would much rather get a world class keeper and not sign a £60mill midfielder than settle for second best for a keeper and get yet another "skill" player further up the pitch.

I'm not saying we need to build from the back like some believe, but I do believe that if we had a world class keeper this season we would've been an awful lot closer to winning things across the board.

We can't build a team like Barcelona had in front of Valdes, we can't buy players to the calibre that Madrid have put in front of Navas or City put in front of Hart, we need to be smart and fill the biggest gaps first.

We've improved in other areas already. Time to go all out for the best of the best in this important position.

3.) 12 Jun 2018 12:43:52
RedDawn, please tell me which realistic GK targets are there that fulfill this criteria then. Oblak has the best defense in the world in front of him and his kicking is wayward. What makes you think he will be able to adapt considering GKs do not improve as much as outfield players even with the best coaching (and certainly not with Archterberg)? Alisson seems to want Real and I don't think he is going to solve our GK issues entirely either, certainly not for 80 million euros. DDG, Courtois and Neuer are no goes and the rest are no better than Karius imo. Karius at least knows how to play as a sweeper GK unlike our other second rate targets like Pope and Butland.
We need to accept that Karius might be the best solution right now and continue to strengthen our midfield and depth in attack to cover up our defensive deficiencies. City and Real did it, so why can't we?

5.) 12 Jun 2018 13:02:25
Jurgen - You may disagree that's fine, but in my opinion K. Schmeichel is not a good keeper at all. He is living off his name only. He has been poor for 2 seasons now and did nothing in the title winning season to show that he was anything more than average. He has a Premier League medal, so good for him but I wouldn’t want him anywhere near Liverpool and he has probably found his peak level. Why have none of the bigger clubs targeted him?

Indian Buzzer - You're right, Alisson might not be available and Oblak does have the protection of one of the best defences around. I'm not professing to know the solution just stating that we shouldn't be settling for second best in this very key position. If we can't sign someone who is top drawer then perhaps we sign nobody right now and strengthen elsewhere? But we definitely shouldn’t buy a new keeper to compete with KArius or who isn’t much better.

I have no idea if these players are available but the few that I would say would be a significant step up would be Alisson, Neuer and Horn. Or if we were going to go down the root United did with De Gea and buy a top prospect and stick with him, then Lafont or Meret would be good options.

Like I said, I have no idea if these players are available. Alisson looks like he is but wants a move elsewhere, Horn might be available at the right price and Neuer almost certainly not unless he pushes for a move. Lafont and Meret might well be available but the price would be high for a very young keeper.

In my view we should go all out and try to sign Alisson. He is the only one that seems possible and a big upgrade on what we have. If Neuer were available then he would also fit that description, but he won’t be available.

6.) 12 Jun 2018 13:09:40
Sorry RedDawn I'm slightly confused. You mention teams that have not only won leagues, but won by absolutely crushing opposition over long periods, as winning with average keepers because their forward lines and goalscoring abilities are so good. You talk about teams like City not needing such a great keeper because they have someone else taking charge of the defense. But then you say you'd rather focus our energy on not following in their footsteps and playing to our already overwhelming strengths, but rather leave our strength vulnerable and concentrate on our weakness. I'm just not sure I follow the thought process, surely in your analysis the best thing for us to do would be to consolidate the way that we already win games before breaking the bank on safety measures?

7.) 12 Jun 2018 13:11:51
But you didn’t say Kasper. Just Schmiechel. The description looked very much like Peter and Utd with an unchanged back four and Keane would have been classed as the best. Seeing as you’d mentioned Valdes at Barcelona there was no indication it’s only very recent teams.

8.) 12 Jun 2018 13:34:09
Hjikle – I see your point, but we don’t have the money to be building teams like Real and City did. Certainly not with the market the way it is now. How much would we have to spend now to go and buy players of a standard like Kroos, Modric, Ronaldo and Bale, or Aguero, De Bruyne and Silva?

We don’t have the means to build a squad like they did. Those teams were spending more money than any other and we simply can’t and wouldn’t do that.

My point is that those teams needed at least 8 or 9 world class players in their first 11, and because they had that they were able to not worry about the keeper as much. We don’t have that, we probably have 5 absolutely top class players and a few that could be that good. But we aren’t going to be going out and signing 3 or 4 players who are considered in the very top group in world football, we simply can’t do that.

That’s why, in my opinion, a top class keeper is more valuable to us now than adding another top class forward.

As I said, just my thoughts, happy to have people disagree with me.

And Jurgen, the post was in response to the post earlier from 87red where he talks about Kasper, sorry should’ve made that more clear.

I was just pointing out that it is possible to win titles without a world class goalie.

We have VVD. There is no reason we can’t have similar success. Our defence was much improved from January onwards and we’ve massively upgraded in midfield. I think our biggest pitfall is a lack of quality options on the bench.

Cities defence is nothing special but their midfield onwards dominate games. I’m just pointing out that we can do that too.

10.) 12 Jun 2018 14:37:08
In defence of 87red, I think his point has been lost in translation.

I thought he has making the point that spending £80m on a goal keeper doesn't improve you as much as spending £80m elsewhere. He then justified his point by providing multiple very good examples of teams who have had success in spite of having a bad keeper.

£80m could get you a good keeper who might save us an extra 5-10 points a year. Or it could sign an attacking midfielder and a back up winger who get us an extra 15 points a season.

That was the way I took his post. I don't think he was saying that it wasn't worth the investment or that a good keeper isn't important. Just that it is the one area of the pitch that you can get away with having an average player, because you can protect them more easily with the 10 men in front.

My apologies 87red if I've misinterpreted your point and put words in your mouth. This was just how I interpreted your point.

11.) 12 Jun 2018 14:38:40
Not sure why you're starting the post with "sigh" mate. I thought we were allowed to have different opinions.

I don't believe we have the players, nor the money to buy the players, that will lead to us being able to dominate the best teams around. Unless we spend a few hundred million this summer we just won't be able to "out City" City.

Hence why I believe that a top class keeper is more important that more forwards right now.

But like I say, if a top class keeper isn't available then stick with what we have I say. Don't go and buy someone slightly better just for the sake of buying someone.

12.) 12 Jun 2018 15:13:11
There’s not many top class goalies available unfortunately. I’d love us to tempt Courtois away from Chelsea but can’t see it. Klopp improves players, whose to say he wouldn’t improve Butland? I’m not a fan but if we get him then believe in Klopp. Splash the cash on a quality bench/ rotating squad. Next season will be a long one.

13.) 12 Jun 2018 16:29:43
Reddawn is spot on, if we only have limited budget and it came into a choice between spending a record amount on a keeper or adding a midfielder we aren't exactly crying out for, id chose to spend the majority on a keeper and use a "small" amount to get Shaqiri, a top draw keeper will make the difference to us.

15.) 12 Jun 2018 17:39:11
I understand the point but how can we possibly compare ourselves to City or Real etc? Those teams spent hundreds of millions of pounds on their outfield players, more than any other team around save for PSG.

To build an outfield of a similar quality to City or Real we would need to buy 2 or 3 players for £50-100mill each. To get a world class keeper we’ll need to spend £60-100mill once.

My main point was that it's pointless us buying any GK that isn’t absolutely world class, we already have an average keeper, why spend any money on another average keeper? It’s just throwing good money away.

In my opinion a world class keeper can paper over some of the cracks created by having a few lower quality players in the squad, as United have proven with De Gea (they finished 2nd remember, with an awful squad? ) . But adding 1 world class forward for the same price, to an already stellar forward line, can’t paper over the cracks of having a dodgy keeper.

We have an incredible forward line and we have a dodgy keeper. I know where I would be spending my money. Once we are more solid throughout the first 11 we can then start adding depth to the great attacking force we have.

Like I said, just my opinion. Got no problem people disagreeing with it, that’s why we all keep coming back here, for the debate .

27 May 2018 11:45:53
I don't see a way back for Karius at Liverpool now, which is unfortunate as he seems like a genuinely nice guy.

I do however hope that in 4 or 5 years there's a piece on the BBC website that goes something along the lines of "From Champions League zero to Bundesliga Hero" as Karius goes from strength to strength and uses this disappointment to become better and stronger than he ever was.

I don't think he can do that at Liverpool now, it'll follow him too much. But I wish him all the best and hope he proves everyone wrong.

RedDawn

1.) 27 May 2018 11:50:27
He'll prove everybody wrong, as a Liverpool player in my opinion. I do understand what everybody is saying, I get it but I think there's more to come from the lad.

3.) 27 May 2018 11:55:53
If and it's a big If, Karius starts in goal next season and pulls off a couple of good saves and clean sheets early season and the team are winning then it will all be forgotten about. However When he makes his next mistake it will all be dragged up again. Us fans are fickle and if he and the team perform there will be a way back. If it causes him a mental block then he may never recover. I wish the lad all the luck in the future be it with us or at another team.

6.) 27 May 2018 12:23:15
Karuis showed a gradual increase in form after being made first choice in January and I thought he had it cracked, but his form faltered around the Roma matches. I've always been a fan of his style in terms of his willingness to fly of his line and put his body on the firing line. And I had no problem with the occasional error caused by him doing that because I reckon the number of extra goals and chances he'd prevent over a more 'traditional' goalkeeper will outweigh what he concedes.

But losing the flight of shots as he did last night and in both legs against Roma is a pretty serious deficiency in his game, and the worry I have now is that, like Mignolet, no matter how good his form is, he's always liable to make a massive error like that. And then they in turn will set his confidence and form back.

As I said, I like the guy and I feel bad for wanting to chuck him under the bus after what's likely going to be the worst experience of his professional career, but I just don't see how we can carry an error-prone goalie anymore. Between Migs and Karius, we've been doing it for five years.

Is Butland, who seems to be the target, the answer? I don't know. I've made it clear on average day I don't think he's any better, but he may make fewer obvious errors (even though he also tossed one into his own goal this season) .

10.) 27 May 2018 12:39:54
Folks he is good enough full stop he's only number one coz the other clown migs is even worse. Both have made mistakes all season you seem to be forgetting this.
I just really hope the powers that be don't think Butland is the answer.

11.) 27 May 2018 12:46:08
Degea wudnt make them mistakes nor would cortouis oblak or any other top keeper we need a confident established stopper, we need too stop the silly merry go round of keepers an sort this out. I know macca mentioned butland but he is not the answer from what I have seen unless anyone can tell me a valid reason why he is, if we do get him I hope I am wrong I jus feel it's same hopeful signing rather than established safe pair of hands.

He has been playing RB above his age group much like Joe Gomez did for a long time.

Also, I don't think he should be thrown in any time soon. He is doing very well progressing where he is. The Wolves game should've been a nice cameo for him for 20 minutes at the end, instead he was thrown into the cauldron in a disjointed team.

I would rather play Fabinho and Milner out of position rather than put a 16yr old into the firing line. What if he makes a mistake that costs us a game, or even worse costs us the title? He might never recovery as the "fans" would destroy him.

I think there's a time and a place for young players to be bedded in. As we reach the business end of the season when we're closer to the league title than we have been in years. that's not the right time.

By all means have him on the bench and give him minutes, but don't pin our hopes on him.

18 May 2018 11:40:25
Has anyone got to the bottom of which Dembele this is?

I’m guessing it’s probably Ousmane from Barca, but could also be Moussa from Spurs or Moussa from Celtic.

In my opinion Ousmane would be a risk as the fee is likely to be very big. However, he has the potential to be an incredible player, he has everything needed to be great and if Klopp can get him working the way he wants he could be top top class.

I wouldn’t want it as a loan though, unless it is with an agreed option to buy. A loan would cost money and take up a place in the squad which could go to someone who sees their future at Liverpool and wants to fight for it.

Moussa from Spurs I also think would be a very shrewd signing. Yes he is getting on and has struggled with injuries, but he will likely be relatively cheap and he is top quality on his day. He keeps the ball incredibly well and would be a solid replacement for Can. He would provide some stability in games where we need to take more control in the middle of the park.

Moussa from Celtic would be an odd one though. The kid clearly has talent, he can finish, he’s strong, he’s quick, but he has struggled with injuries and hasn’t really stood out in a poor league. I don’t see him as any better than Ings or Origi and the price would likely be too high to even consider him as an option.

04 Mar 2018 00:16:51
I think Henderson makes us tick in the midfield and is more important to the way we play that any other midfielder.

He knows how Klopp wants to play and the front 3 know what he is going to do.

If he had been fit all season we would be much closer to City.

If he can stay fit next season, with Keita coming in alongside him, Ox starting to show what he can do, the front 3 we have, Karius looking more and more assured every game and some quality additions we'll have an amazing team on our hands.

21 Feb 2018 13:32:53
I've watched Wanyama start twice recently, against Newport County and Rochdale and he was woeful in both games against quite terrible opposition.

There is a reason why Dembele (an excellent player) and Dier (a distinctly average player) are ahead of him in the Spurs team. He is poor. He runs around a lot and is quite strong, and every now and then he hits s thunderbolt of a shot which everyone go "ooooo".

I hope we steer well clear. (if we are even interested at all. which I doubt)

Are you kidding me? We've got a midfielder playing CB alongside a 16yr old. A RB making his debut who has only been a RB for this season and a 17yr old midfielder making his debut. What do you expect from these players?

For me the players who should be hounded for that first half are Sturridge, who is just awful, he can't control the ball, pass the ball, get into good positions or run, and Origi who looks like he couldn't care less.

Lay off the youngsters, they will not be perfect at 16/ 17/ 18 years old, but acting like they should be will just lead to them being kept out of the firing line of so called "supporters" and stifle their development.

28 Dec 2018 22:10:42
Correct me if I'm wrong Eds but I believe, It's neither. The club gets a certain number of medals to give to players they wish. Hence why Ethan Ampadu and Ola Aina got medals when Chelsea they won it a few years ago for example.

27 Dec 2018 13:20:23
Our centre backs are all playing well at the moment and none of them (apart from maybe Matip) would be happy to be backup in the long run. Koulibaly is great but would also not be ok warming the bench.

As has been pointed out on here a lot recently we have good cover at CB, it is full backs where we need more options. Moreno and Clyne are not adequate cover to challenge Robbo and TAA (yes Gomez can play RB but that's not his best position or where his future is) .

The club should be looking at many other positions before looking at CBs. Only if Gomez or VVD were to leave would this become a priority imo.